Jeremy Rockliff’s announcement he will try to stop MPs who quit their party from sitting as an independent is nothing more than a ridiculous and desperate election ploy. It’s an admission from the Premier that, if re-elected, he has no confidence in his own ability to control his party room, and no confidence in the candidates he has preselected.
The Liberals promised strong, stable majority government at the past two elections, but have fallen into minority and gone to an early election due to their arrogance and refusal to listen to their own MPs voicing community concerns. Rather than responding by committing to running a better, more transparent government that focuses on the issues that matter to Tasmanians, Jeremy Rockliff is instead saying he’ll just kick people out. How ridiculous.
What Jeremy Rockliff is really saying to Tasmanians is – ‘I don’t think I can control my own party’. And he’s probably right, given he could very well be trying to govern in minority while sitting next to anti-vaxxers, climate deniers, anti-LGBTIQA+ candidates and Eric Abetz in the Liberal party room.
Unfortunately problem for the Premier, it’s highly questionable such a move would even be possible, let alone receive the support it will need from MPs across the Parliament – in both houses – for it to become law.
This is a truly ridiculous last-ditch ploy by the Liberals as they feel majority government slipping even further out of reach. The good news for Tasmania? The Liberals’ desperation is a reflection of the opportunity we have before us for change.
Our message to Tasmanians is – when the Liberals are this desperate, it’s a clear sign that change is possible. With a new government and the Greens in balance of power we can finally see real action on the cost of living and housing, healthcare and protecting our forests.
